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Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2018March 2005
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–36
Optical construction23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM11 elements in nine groups
Special elementsOne fluorite and five UD elementsAspherical element shown in Canon Camera Museum's optical diagram
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating and revised optical coatings; fluorine coating on front and rear element surfaces–
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureSix blades with a circular aperture according to Canon Camera Museum
Angle of viewDiagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°–
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF-S
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF mount full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras
Teleconverter supportEF1.4X III gives 98–280 mm f/4 and 0.30× maximum magnification; EF2X III gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 and 0.44×; autofocus remains available but is slower–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.2 m0.28 m
Maximum magnification0.21×0.28×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailRing-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfwayMicromotor autofocus; no full-time manual override according to The Digital Picture
Focus distance detailInternal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mmFront element rotates during focusing; narrow manual focus grip on the extending front barrel according to Photozone and The Digital Picture
Magnification detail–Maximum 0.28× at 55 mm according to The Digital Picture; Canon Camera Museum confirms 0.28× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detailUp to 3.5 stops under CIPA testing at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; Mode 1 for still subjects and Mode 2 for panning; Canon notes tripod results depend on the tripod and shooting conditionsNo optical stabilisation according to The Digital Picture
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter77 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter88.8 mm68.5 mm
Length199 mm66 mm
Weight1,480 g190 g
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinity–
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains physical length (Digital Camera World)Shortest around 35 mm; extends towards both ends of the zoom range according to Photozone and The Digital Picture
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount–
Dimensions detail88.8 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front; add 24.2 mm for front and rear caps68.5 mm maximum diameter × 66 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Weight detailApproximately 1,480 g lens only according to Canon's instruction manual, UK store and Camera Museum; a Canon USA one-page specification chart instead lists approximately 1,440 g–
Tripod mountIncluded removable rotating B (W II) tripod mount ring; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar–
Lens hoodET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storageEW-60C hood and LP814 pouch sold separately according to The Digital Picture
In the boxET-87 hood and LZ1326 lens case according to the UK store; tripod mount ring included according to Canon's instruction manual–
Release detailMarketed in September 2018 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon USA's 7 June announcement had scheduled US shipping for August 2018Canon Camera Museum records March 2005 marketing with the EOS 350D. No separately verified UK first-sale day is published in these sources.

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